Macroimmunology: The drivers and consequences of spatial patterns in wildlife immune defence

Abstract

The prevalence and intensity of parasites in wild hosts varies across space and is a key determinant of infection risk in humans, domestic animals and threatened wildlife. Because the immune system serves as the primary barrier to infection, replication and transmission following exposure, we here consider the environmental drivers of immunity. Spatial variation in parasite pressure, abiotic and biotic conditions, and anthropogenic factors can all shape immunity across spatial scales. Identifying the most important spatial drivers of immunity could help pre‐empt infectious disease risks, especially in the context of how large‐scale factors such as urbanization affect defence by changing environmental conditions.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 26, 2020
Source ID
10.1111/1365-2656.13166

Entities

People

  • Caylee A Falvo
  • Daniel J. Becker
  • Gregory F Albery
  • Gábor Árpád Czirják
  • Lynn B. Martin
  • Maureen K Kessler
  • Raina K. Plowright
  • Tamika Lunn

Organizations

  • Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
  • Georgetown University
  • Griffith University
  • Indiana University
  • Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
  • Montana State University
  • National Institute of Food and Agriculture
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Science Foundation
  • University of South Florida

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Economics
  • Immunology

Technology Areas

  • Space